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. 2023 May 17;61(1):799–814. doi: 10.1080/13880209.2023.2208639

The traditional herb Polygonum hydropiper from China: a comprehensive review on phytochemistry, pharmacological activities and applications

Yi-Dan Kong a, Ying Qi b, Na Cui a, Zhi-Hong Zhang a, Na Wei c, Chang-Fu Wang b, Yuan-Ning Zeng b, Yan-Ping Sun a, Hai-Xue Kuang a, Qiu-Hong Wang a,b,✉
PMCID: PMC10193905  PMID: 37194713

Abstract

Context

Polygonum hydropiper L. (Polygonaceae) (PH) is a traditional Chinese traditional medicine with a pungent flavor and mild drug properties. PH is mainly distributed in the channel tropism in the stomach and large intestine. PH has multiple uses and can be used to treat a variety of diseases for a long time.

Objective

This review summarizes the phytochemical and pharmacological activities, and applications of PH from 1980 to 2022. We also provide suggestions for promoting further research and developing additional applications of PH.

Methods

The data and information on PH from 1980 to 2022 reviewed in this article were obtained from scientific databases, including Science Direct, PubMed, Science Citation Index, SciFinder Scholar (SciFinder), Springer, American Chemical Society (ACS) Publications, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), etc. Some information was obtained from classic literature on traditional Chinese medicines. The search terms were Polygonum hydropiper, phytochemistry compositions of Polygonum hydropiper, pharmacological activities of Polygonum hydropiper, and applications of Polygonum hydropiper.

Results

The comprehensive analysis of the literature resulted in 324 compounds being isolated, identified, and reported from PH. Regarding traditional uses, the majority of phytochemical and pharmacological studies have indicated the diverse bioactivities of PH extracts, flavonoids, and volatile oil elements, including antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory.

Conclusions

PH has a long history of diversified medicinal uses, some of which have been verified in modern pharmacological studies. Further detailed studies are required to establish scientific and reasonable quality evaluation standards and action mechanisms of active constituents from PH.

Keywords: Flavonoids, volatile oils, antibacterial and antifungal effects, antifeedant and insecticidal effects, traditional and modern clinical applications

Introduction

The Polygonaceae family consists of 50 genera and 1120 species; of these, approximately 13 genera and 238 species are found in China. Polygonum is the major Polygonaceae genus for medicinal purposes, with approximately 300 species worldwide. In total, there are 131 species and 31 varieties of Polygonum in China; 72 species have medicinal value, are distributed in many provinces in northern and southern China, and are commonly found on roadsides or in watery wet places (Wang et al. 1996; Wang 2008; Wang et al. 2012).

Polygonum hydropiper (PH) is the whole plant and stem of Polygonum hydropiper L., an annual herb (Wang 1996). PH was first recorded in Tang Materia Medica (Cheng et al. 1999; Li et al. 2003), and the 1977 Edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia included the whole herb of PH. The leaves of PH have deep red spots, which are exclusive characteristics of PH and are distinguished from other Polygonaceae plants. PH, known as laliao in Chinese, is widely used as a traditional herbal medicine. Among the Chinese people, PH is also called shuiliao, liaoyacai, liuliao, laliaocao, liaozicao, banjiaocao, litongcao, etc. (Wang, Liu et al. 1996; Wang 2014). PH often grows in patches in low mountain areas, hills, plain hillsides, riverbanks, and other moist places. PH is widely distributed in the northern and southern provinces of China, including Hebei, Henan, Shanxi, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hubei, Fujian, Jiangxi, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Yunnan (Zhang 2004). According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, PH has a pungent flavor and mild drug properties. The meridian tropism of PH is the stomach and large intestine. PH has many traditional effects, such as dampness-resolving, stagnation-removing, wind-expelling and detumescence; it is mainly used to treat and relieve some diseases including dysentery, enter gastritis, diarrhea, dermatophytosis beriberi, itch, rheumatoid arthritis, hemostasis swelling pain, and functional uterine hemorrhage. Topical treatment includes snakebite and skin eczema, etc. (Li 2017). At present, PH is often used in combination with other traditional Chinese medicines in the clinic to treat rheumatism, traumatic injury, skin diseases, acute and chronic gastroenteritis, chronic rhinitis, gynecological diseases, ophthalmological diseases, and sebaceous cysts, etc. (Huang and Zhen 2013).

Previous studies in the 1990s found that PH has antimicrobial, insecticidal, antioxidant, antitumor, and other biological activities (Haraguchi et al. 1992, 1993, 1996; Yagi et al. 1994). The active ingredients are flavonoids and volatile oils. In recent years, there have been many reports about the phytochemical composition and pharmacological activities of PH worldwide. Flavonoids have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, and volatile terpenoids have insecticidal activities, which can provide some references for the development of new drugs and new plant-based pesticides. Moreover, there is a certain development prospect in the fields of medicine, food, botanical pesticides, veterinary medicine, and food additives (Zeng et al. 2006; Huang and Zhen 2013). However, an overall review of these factors is lacking. In this review, the phytochemical constituents, pharmacological activities, and applications of PH have been summarized for the further detailed research, with the hope that PH can be fully and effectively developed and utilized.

Methods

This literature review of PH covers the reports from 1980 to 2022. The data and information were obtained from multiple scientific databases, including Science Direct, PubMed, Science Citation Index, Sci Finder, Springer, ACS Publications, Innojoy, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Additional information was obtained from classic literature on traditional Chinese medicines, as well as PhD and MSc theses in the school library, and downloaded from CNKI, read manually and analyzed in groups. The search terms were Polygonum hydropiper, phytochemistry compositions of Polygonum hydropiper, pharmacological activities of Polygonum hydropiper, applications of Polygonum hydropiper and other related search terms. We excluded reports and articles that appeared in some news media or newspapers, as well as literature that was not published in formal professional magazines or periodicals.

Phytochemistry

To date, 324 compounds have been isolated and identified from PH, and researchers have adopted multiple separation techniques for the isolation and purification of chemical constituents from PH, including 40 flavonoids, 9 phenylpropanoids, 169 volatile oils, 75 terpenoids, 19 organic acids, 7 steroids, and 5 others. The percentages of chemical constituents are shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1.

Figure 1.

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The percentage of chemical constituents.

Flavonoids

Flavonoid ingredients are the main active ingredients of PH. In addition, flavonoid glycosides, flavonol and its glycosides, flavone and its glycosides, chalcone, and dihydrochalcone are found in PH. The species, compounds, and molecular formulas of PH are shown in Table 1. The basic parent nuclei and structures of flavonoids 1 to 40 are shown in Figure 2.

Table 1.

The species, compounds, and molecular formulas of flavonoids.

No. Species   Compound Ref.
1 Flavonoid   6-hydroxyluteolin Zhao et al. 2003
2 Flavonoid   scutillarein aglycone Zhao et al. 2003
3 Flavonoid   pinostrobin Zhao et al. 2003
4 Flavonoid   onysilin Zhao et al. 2003
5 Flavonol   quercetin Zhao et al. 2003
6 Flavonol   isorhamnetin He et al. 2014;
Xiao et al. 2018
7 Flavonol   kaempferol Xiao et al. 2018
8 Flavonol   7,4′-dimethylquercetin Haraguchi et al. 1992
9 Flavonol   3′-methylquercetin Haraguchi et al. 1992
10 Flavonol   3,7-dihydroxy-5,6-dimethoxy-flavone Xiao 2018
11 Flavonol   isalpin (3,5-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-flavone) Xiao 2018
12 Flavonoid glycoside   6-hydroxyluteolin Xiao 2018
13 Flavonoid glycoside   7-O-β-d-glucopyranoside Zhao et al. 2003
14 Flavonol glycosides   rutin Xiao 2018
15 Flavonol glycosides   hyperoside Xiao 2018
16 Flavonol glycosides   quercitrin Xiao 2018
17 Flavonol glycosides   quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside Wang et al. 2018
18 Flavonol glycosides   isoquercitrin Wang et al. 2018
19 Flavonol glycosides   galloyl quercitrin Zhao et al. 2003
20 Flavonol glycosides   galloyl kaempferol 3-glucoside Zhao et al. 2003
21 Flavonol glycosides   quercetin 3-O-β-d-glucuronide Zhao et al. 2003
22 Flavonol glycosides   quercetin-3-O-β-galactoside Li et al. 2017
23 Flavonol glycosides   kaempferol-3-O-β-galactoside Li et al. 2017
24 Flavonol glycosides   kaempferol-3-O-glucopyranoside Wang et al. 2018
25 Dihydroflavone   7-hydroxy-5-methoxy-flavanone Wang et al. 2018
26 Dihydroflavone   (2R,3R)-(+) taxifolin Miyazawa and Tamura 2007
27 Dihydroflavone   3,7,3′,4′-taxifolin tetraacetate Miyazawa and Tamura 2007
28 Dihydroflavone 5,7,3′,4′-taxifolin tetrametyl ether   Miyazawa and Tamura 2007
29 Flavonol sulfate quercetin-3-sulphate   Yagi et al. 1994
30 Flavonol sulfate isorhamnetin-3,7-disulpgate   Yagi et al. 1994
31 Flavonol sulfate tamarixetin-3-glucoside-7-sulpgate   Yagi et al. 1994
32 Flavonol sulfate percicarin   Haraguchi et al. 1996
33 Flavonol sulfate rhamnazin-3-sulfate   Haraguchi et al. 1996
34 Chalcone cardamomin (2′,4′-dihydroxy-6′-methoxychalcone)   Xiao 2018;
Wang et al. 2018
35 Chalcone 2′,6′-dihydroxy-3′,4′-dimethoxychalcone   Kurkina et al. 2013
36 Chalcone polygochalcone   Kurkina et al. 2013
37 Dihydrochalcone uvangoletin   Wang et al. 2018
38 Flavanol catechin   Ono et al. 1998
39 Flavanol epicatechin   Ono et al. 1998
40 Flavanol epicatechin-3-O-gallate   Ono et al. 1998
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Figure 2.

Figure 2.

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Structures of Compounds 1 to 40.

Phenylpropanoids

Most of the phenylpropanoids contained in PH are simple phenylpropanoids and coumarins. Vanicoside A′ (41), hydropiperoside B (42), and hydropiperoside A (43) were isolated, purified and distinguished from PH by column chromatography with silica gel and Sephadex, preparative high performance liquid chromatography (pre-HPLC), NMR, and ESI-MS (Fukuyama et al. 1983; Kiem et al. 2008; Wang et al. 2018). Chlorogenic acid (44) was separated and identified from PH by chromatography with silica gel and MCI, physicochemical properties, and spectral analysis for the first time (Xu et al. 2017). Aniba-dimer A (45) and 6,6′-((1 R,2R,3S,4S)-2,4-diphenylcyclobutane-1,3-diyl) bis (4-methoxy-2H-pyran-2-one) (46) were separated from the dichloromethane part of PHL (Xiao 2018). Vanicoside B (47), vanicoside E (48) and vanicoside F (49) were isolated from the dichloromethane-soluble portion of the ethanol extract of PH (Xiao et al. 2017). The structures of phenylpropanoids from 41 to 49 are shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3.

Figure 3.

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Structures of Compounds 41 to 49.

Volatile oils

The volatile oils stored in PH are extremely complex, mainly sesquiterpenoids, and contain enol tautomerisms and sterols. Due to the volatility and instability of the volatile oils, different origins, different months, and different extraction methods can affect the volatile components of PH.

Eight volatile oil components were first separated and identified by the supercritical CO2 technique and combined GC–MS coupling technique (Zhang and Zeng 2005). A total of 125 volatile oils from the aboveground parts of PH grown in May, August, and November in Guizhou in 2018 were obtained and identified by steam distillation and GC–MS coupling techniques; they had 15 similar components (Table 2) (Yu et al. 2018). Volatile oils of PH were first extracted by the methods of steam distillation and CO2 supercritical extraction, and identified by the GC–MS coupling technique, which yielded 14 and 4 volatile oil-like components, respectively, including 2 similar compounds (Li 2007). Seventy-five volatile components from PH in Guizhou contained the same 5 compounds, and they were obtained and distinguished by solid phase extraction, steam distillation and GC–MS coupling techniques (Lin et al. 2012). Fifty-three volatile components of PH from Hunan were obtained by steam distillation combined with GC–MS (Yao et al. 1999). Six volatile components of PH were first found first from an ether extraction part of alcohol extraction by GC–MS (Zeng 2007). Altogether, 103 volatile components of PH were isolated and identified by steam distillation and GC–MS coupling techniques (Wu et al. 2007; Liu, Zhang et al. 2009; Wang et al. 2017). The volatile oil compounds (from 50 to 218) of PH are shown in Table 2. The structures of phenylpropanoids 50 to 218 are shown in Figure 4.

Table 2.

Compounds of volatile oils.

No. Compound Ref. No. Compound Ref.
50 4-vinyl-2-methoxy-phenol Yao et al. 1999 66 11-eicosenoic acid methyl ester Yao et al. 1999
51 di-iso-nonylphtalate Zeng et al. 2007 67 oleic acid Yao et al. 1999
52 dibutyl phthalate Zeng et al. 2007 68 thymol Zeng et al. 2007
53 bergapten Yu et al. 2018 69 diheptyl phthalate Zeng et al. 2007
54 2-methylenimine acetonitrile Liu, Zhang et al. 2009 70 2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl Zeng et al. 2007
55 1,5-anhydro-4,6-O-benzylidene-2,3-dideoxy-d-erythohexlenitol Zhang and Zeng 2005 71 N-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2-thiophene carboxamide Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
56 N-butene-N-oxide methotrexate Liu, Zhang et al. 2009 72 4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol Zeng et al. 2007
57 ethyl isopropyl ether Liu, Zhang et al. 2009 73 8-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-tricyclene Zhang and Zeng 2005
58 bisabolene Yu et al. 2018;
Lin et al. 2012;
Yao et al. 1999 		74 naphthol-[1,2-c]-furan-1(3H)-one,5,5a,6,7,8,9,9b-octahydro-6,6, 9a-trimethyl-[5aS-(5a,9ab,9ba)]-(-)-drimenin Lin et al. 2012
59 1-hydroxy-4a,5-dimethyl-3-(propan-2-ylidene)-4,4a,5, 6-tetrahydronaphthalen-2(3H)-one Yu et al. 2018 75 nerolidol Yu et al. 2018; Lin et al. 2012; Yao et al. 1999
60 4,6,6-trimethyl-2-(3-methyl-1,3-cyclovinyl)-3-oxatricyclo-[5.1.0 (2,4)]-octane Li 2007 76 bergamotol Yu et al. 2018; Lin et al. 2012; Yao et al. 1999
61 succinonitrile Liu, Zhang et al. 2009 77 1-beomo-2,3,3,-trifluoro-1-propene Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
62 acetonitrile Liu, Zhang et al. 2009 78 N-butylene-N-oxide methylamine Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
63 acetylamino acetaldehy Liu, Zhang et al. 2009 79 3,4,5,6-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
64 2H-cyclopropa-[g]-benzofuran,4,4,6b-trimethyl-2-(1-methylethenyl) Yu et al. 2018 80 (1R,7S,E)-7-isopropyl-4,10-dimethylenecyclodec-5-enol Yu et al. 2018
65 drim-7-en-11-ol Yu et al. 2018 81 9-ethylphenanthrene Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
82 2-((2S,4aR)-4a,8-dimethyl-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7-octahydronaphthalen-2-yl)-propan Yu et al. 2018 100 benzenemethanol Yu et al. 2018;
Yao et al. 1999
83 1,2,3,3a,4,6a-6H-cyclopentadiene Liu, Zhang et al. 2009 101 3,3,4,4-tetrafluoro-1,5-hexadiene Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
84 1,5,5,8-tetramethyl-12-oxabicyclo [9.1.0] dodeca-3,7-diketone Yu et al. 2018 102 1-methyl-7-oxooctyl-2-aldehyde-4,6- dimethoxy benzoic acid Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
85 drimenin Yu et al. 2018 103 aziridine Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
86 pentadecanoic acid Lin et al. 2012 104 hydrochloride Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
87 1,1,4a-trimethyl-5,6-dimethylenedecahydronaphthalen Lin et al. 2012 105 2-[4-dimethylaniline]-3-hydroxy-4-H-chromene-4-ket Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
88 5,5-dimethyl-4-(3-methyl-1,3-butenyl)-1-oxaspiro-[2.5]-ooctane Li 2007 106 (1R,3aS,5aS,8aR)-1,3a,5a-trimethyl-4-methylenedecahydropenta Lin et al. 2012
89 (E,E)-6,10,14-trimethylpentadeca-5,9,13-trien-2-one Lin et al. 2012;
Yao et al. 1999 		107 2-methyl-5-amino-3,3,4-trinitrile-2,3-dihydrofuran Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
90 3-hexen-1-ol Lin et al. 2012; Yao et al. 1999 108 ocimene Lin et al. 2012;
Yao et al. 1999
91 1-nonene Lin et al. 2012 109 methyl disulfide Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
92 1-octen-3-ol Lin et al. 2012 110 dichlone-2-nitropropane Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
93 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one Lin et al. 2012 111 3-phenyl-1,3-oxyzazcyclo-2-butanone Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
94 myrene Lin et al. 2012 112 methylamine Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
95 dl-6-methyl-5-hepten-2-ol Lin et al. 2012 113 thiophene(3,2-e) benzofuran Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
96 acetate Lin et al. 2012 114 5-hydroxy-4-octanone Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
97 N-(2-ethylamine)-ethylenimine Liu, Zhang et al. 2009 115 2,3-dimethyl-epoxy-2-methylpropane Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
98 undecane Lin et al. 2012 116 di-undecyl phosphate Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
99 decanal Lin et al. 2012 117 α-naphtho Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
118 decanol Lin et al. 2012 140 2-cyclohexyl-4,6-dinitrophenol Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
119 indole Lin et al. 2012 141 1-propoxy-pentane Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
120 undecanal Lin et al. 2012 142 methyl vinyl ketone Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
121 decanoic acid menthyl ester Lin et al. 2012 143 2-methyl-2-tert butyl-1,3-dithiane Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
122 1-undecanol Lin et al. 2012 144 3-hexen-1-ol Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
123 2,3-diethyl-1,3-heptadiene Lin et al. 2012 145 β-propiolactone Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
124 zingiberene Lin et al. 2012;
Yao et al. 1999 		146 elemene Lin et al. 2012;
Yao et al. 1999
125 ethyh caprate Lin et al. 2012 147 4-butanediol acrylate Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
126 dodecanal Lin et al. 2012 148 triisopropy-trioxane Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
127 α-bergamotene Lin et al. 2012 149 diazirin-ethylamine Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
128 2,4,6 tripropyl-1,3,5-trioxane Liu, Zhang et al. 2009 150 1-cyclobutane cyclobutene Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
129 α-humulene Lin et al. 2012;
Yao et al. 1999 		151 3,5-dimethy-3-hydrogenation-2-thione-1,3,4-thiadiazoles Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
130 trans-β-farnesene Lin et al. 2012 152 diallyl disulfide Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
131 1-dodecanol Lin et al. 2012 153 dibutylene dicyanide Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
132 1-decene Lin et al. 2012 154 ethyl nitrite Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
133 hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-acetanilide Liu, Zhang et al. 2009 155 1,4-butanedio-butly etherr Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
134 1-tetradecanol Lin et al. 2012 156 ethyl-oxirane Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
135 N-(3-methyl-dibromo) phenylethylamine Liu, Zhang et al. 2009 157 10-heptadecen-8-ynoic acid, methyl ester Wu et al. 2007
136 methyl laurate Lin et al. 2012 158 zeaxanthin Wu et al. 2007
137 santalol Lin et al. 2012 159 cyclopropane Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
138 farnesol Lin et al. 2012 160 2-allylphenol Lin et al. 2012
139 N-methyl sulfone-imidazole Liu, Zhang et al. 2009 161 cinerone Wang et al. 2017
162 octahydro-8,8a-dimethyl-2(1H)- naphthalenone Wu et al. 2007 177 2,6,6-trimethyl-1-cyclohexene-1-propyl alcohol Wu et al. 2007
163 ethyl laurate Lin et al. 2012 178 16-octadecenal Lin et al. 2012
164 4-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2- cyclohexene-1-xy)-2-butanone Wu et al. 2007 179 2-methyl-4-(2,6,6-trimethyl cyclohexene) butylene-2-al-1-ol Wu et al. 2007
165 9,11-dimethyltetracyclo-[7.3.1.0(2.7).1(7.11)]-tetradecane Wang et al. 2017 180 2-H-pyran,2-(7-heptadecynyloxy)-tetrahydro-1,4-methanoazulen-3-ol Wu et al. 2007
166 butyl-2-methyl butyrate Lin et al. 2012 181 xanthoxylin Wu et al. 2007
167 10,10-dimethyl-2,6-dimethylenebicyclo [7,2,0] undecane-5-ol Lin et al. 2012 182 junipene Lin et al. 2012; Wang et al. 2017
168 elsholtzia ketone Wang et al. 2017 183 2-vinylnaphthalene Wang et al. 2017
169 (3E)-3methyl-4-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-l-yl) but-3-en-2-ol Lin et al. 2012 184 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1,1,6-trimethylnaphthalene Wang et al. 2017
170 neral Lin et al. 2012; Yao et al. 1999 185 9-desoxo-9-x-acetoxy-3,8,12-tri-O-acetylingol Wu et al. 2007
171 cycloheptane-1,3,6-trislmethylene Lin et al. 2012 186 1-methylaziridine Liu, Zhang et al. 2009
172 α-longipinene Lin et al. 2012 187 1,3,8-p-menthatriene Lin et al. 2012
173 2,6-dimethyl-2,4-heptadiene Lin et al. 2012 188 1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)-1-pentanone Wang et al. 2017
174 2,3,4,5- tetramethyl-tricyclic-[3.2.1.02,7]-3- caprylene Wu et al. 2007 189 3,7,7-trimethyl-1-(3-oxo-but-1-enyl)-2-oxa-bicyclo-[3.2.0]-hept-3-en-6-one Wang et al. 2017
175 3,5,6,7,8,8a-hexahydride-4,8a-dimethy-6-(1-methylethylidene)- 2(1H)- naphthalenone Li 2007 190 1,4,5,6,7,7a-piperazidine-4-methyl-7-(2-methyl ethyl)-2H-indene-2-ket Li 2007
176 4,6-quinolinediamine Wang et al. 2017 191 6,10,14-trimethyl-2-pentadecacone Wang et al. 2017
192 docosane Lin et al. 2012 206 bisabolene epoxide Wang et al. 2017
193 tricosane Lin et al. 2012 207 phenanthrene Wang et al. 2017
194 benzaldehyde Yao et al. 1999 208 mustardseed oil Yao et al. 1999
195 benzyl alcohol Yao et al. 1999 209 methyl(Z)-hexadec-9-enoate Wang et al. 2017
196 benzene acetaldehyde Yao et al. 1999 210 3-butyn-2-yl cyclohexylmethyl phthalate Wang et al. 2017
197 6,10-dimethyl-5,9-undecadiene-2-one Li 2007 211 hexadecenoic acid ethyl ester Wang et al. 2017
198 hexadecenoic acid methyl ester Wang et al. 2017 212 ethyl-9-hexadecenoate Wang et al. 2017
199 farnesene Yao et al. 1999 213 benzene ethanol Yao et al. 1999
200 9-octadecenoic acid Yao et al. 1999 214 linoleic acid Wang et al. 2017
201 spiro [2,4] heptanes 1,5-dimethyl-6-methylene Lin et al. 2012 215 5H-pyrano-[4,3-b]-pyridine −3-carbonitrile Wang et al. 2017
202 1-isopropenyl-2-methyl-benzene Yao et al. 1999 216 9-hexadecenoic acid octadecyl ester Wang et al. 2017
203 trans-phytoene-4a,7,7-trimethyl-2(1H)- naphthalenone Li 2007 217 9,12-octadecadienoic acid Yao et al. 1999
204 9-eicosyne Yao et al. 1999 218 decanoyl acetaldehyde Li 2007
205 9,12-octadecadienoic acid methyl ester Yao et al. 1999      
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Figure 4.

Figure 4.

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Structures of Compounds 50 to 218.

Terpenoids

The terpenoid compounds of PH are almost all monoterpenes and triterpenes, including α-copaene (219), curcumene (220), neophytadiene (221), 8-(3-methy-2-butanol)-tricyclene (222), cedrene (223), 8-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-α-pinene (224), β-sesquiphellandrene (225), longifolene aldehyde (226), 7-epi-cis-sesquisabinene hydrate (227), β-caryophyllene (228), selinene (229), aromadendrene (230), eremophilene (231), cubebene (232), α-panasinsene (233), oxide caryophyllene (234), chamigrene (235), widdrene (236), ledene (237), 1,5,5,8a-tetramethyl (238), 8-isopropyl-2,5-dimethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (239), cis-himachalene (240), drimenol (241), naphthol-[1,2-c]-furan-1-(3H)-one-4,5,5a,6,7,8,9,9a-octahydro-6,6,9a-trimethy-(-)-drimenin (242), caryophyllene oxide (243), eudesmol (244), aristolene (245), myrtanal (246), myrtanol (247), trans-α-bergmotene (248), α-muurolene (249), 1-phellandrene (250), camphene (251), α-pinene (252), guaiene (253), α-bisabolol (254), elemol (255), γ-terpinene (256), α-thujene (257), thujopsene (258), humulene epoxide II (259), 1-naphthalenepropanol (260), trans-carene (261), thujopsene-I3 (262), globulol (263), 1,4,4α,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-2,5,5,8α-tetramethyl-β-eudesmol (264), 1,2,4a,5,6,8a-hexahydro-4,7-dimethyl-1(1-methylethyl) naphthalene (265), 10-epi-γ-eudesmol (266), taraxerone (267), friedelinol (268), ursolic acid (269), oleanolic acid (270), 3β,13β-dihydroxyl-11-ene-28-ursolic acid (271), 3β-angeloyloxy-7-epifutronolide (272), polygonumate (273), dendocarbin L (274), (+) winterin (275), (+) fuegin (276), changweikangic acid A (277), futronolide (278), 7-ketoisodrimenin (279), warburganal (280), polygodial (281), isopolygodial (282), ugandensidal (283), muzigadial (284), polygonal (285), drimenol (286), isodrimeninol (287), octylene (288), monoacetate (289), α,β,β′-disubstituted furano (290), drimanediol (291), isodrimenin (292), and confertifolin (293) (Fukuyama et al. 1980, 1985; Yao et al. 1999; Zhang and Zeng 2005; Li 2007; Wu et al. 2007; Huang et al. 2012; Lin et al. 2012; Goswami et al. 2014; Wang et al. 2017; Xu et al. 2017; Yu et al. 2018). The structures from 219 to 293 are shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5.

Figure 5.

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Structures of Compounds 219 to 293.

Organic acids

Multiple compounds of the organic acid are found in PH, such as fatty acids, polyphenols and carboxylic acids. The fatty acid-like components are mostly unsaturated fatty acids. Sixteen constituents of organic acids were isolated and identified by GC–MS (Liu, Qin et al. 2009), and 3 organic acids were purified and isolated by column chromatography (Li et al. 2017; Xu et al. 2017). The compounds and molecular formulas from 309 to 327 are shown in Table 3. The structures from 294 to 312 are shown in Figure 6.

Table 3.

Compounds and molecular formulas of organic acids.

No. Compound Ref. No. Compound Ref.
294 2-methyl-butanoic acid methyl ester Liu, Qin et al. 2009 304 eicosanoic acid methyl ester Liu, Qin et al. 2009
295 dodecanoic acid methyl ester Liu, Qin et al. 2009 305 docosanoic acid methyl ester Liu, Qin et al. 2009
296 methyl tetradecanoate Liu, Qin et al. 2009 306 tricosanoic acid methyl ester Liu, Qin et al. 2009
297 15-methyl-11-hexadecenoic acid methyl ester Liu, Qin et al. 2009 307 tetracosanoic acid methyl ester Liu, Qin et al. 2009
298 9,12-octadecadienoic acid methyl ester Liu, Qin et al. 2009 308 9-octadecenoic acid methyl ester Liu, Qin et al. 2009
299 3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)4-hydroxy-benzenpropanoic acid methyl eater Liu, Qin et al. 2009 309 9-hexadecenoic acid methyl ester Liu, Qin et al. 2009
300 pentadecanoic acid methyl ester Liu, Qin et al. 2009 310 succinic acid Xu et al. 2017
301 heptadecanoic acid methyl ester Liu, Qin et al. 2009 311 caffeic acid Xu et al. 2017
302 hexadecenoic acid methyl ester Liu, Qin et al. 2009 312 fumaric acid Li et al. 2017
303 octadecanoic acid methyl ester Liu, Qin et al. 2009      
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Figure 6.

Figure 6.

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Structures of Compounds 294 to 312.

Steroids

A variety of sterols and phytosterols exist in PHL. At present, 7 steroid compounds have been isolated and identified independently, including β-sitosterol (313), ergosterol-5,8-peroxide (314), daucosterol (315), stigmast-4-ene-3β,6a-diol (316), γ-sitosterol (317), 22,23-dihydrostigmasterol (318) and phytol (319) (Liu, Qin et al. 2009; Li et al. 2017; Wang et al. 2018). The structures from 313 to 319 are shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7.

Figure 7.

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Structures of Compounds 313 to 324.

Others

Gallic acid (320), which is the tannin monomer, was isolated from PH extract with 75% ethanol (Huang et al. 2012). Ellagic acid (321), a tannin component, was obtained from PH (Li et al. 2017). An acidic polysaccharide named PFMP (322) was separated by DEAE column chromatography and authenticated to consist of d-mannose, l-rhamnose, d-glucuronic acid, d-galactose, d-glucose, and l-arabinose by HPLC (Zhu 2020). Pinosylvin (323) and 5,6-dehydrokawain (324) were isolated from chloroform extract (Xiao 2018). Rich metallic elements, such as Ca, Mg, Al, K, Fe, Mn, Ag, and Zn, and several harmful metals, such as Pb, As, Cu, Hg, and Cd, were discovered by microscopic with identification combined inductively coupled emission spectrometry (Wang et al. 2019). The contents of four heavy metals, Pb, Cd, As, and Hg, were detected by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy, and all met the Green Trade Standard (Lai et al. 2011). The structures of 320, 321, 323 and 324 are shown in Figure 8.

Figure 8.

Figure 8.

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Structures of Compounds 320, 321,323 and 324.

Pharmacological activities

Antibacterial and antifungal effects

The extracts from different parts of PH have some antibacterial and antifungal effects, especially in vitro, showing more extensive antibacterial and antifungal effects. The components of PH, including volatiles, flavones and carboxylic acids, have good broad-spectrum inhibition of bacterial activity (Lin et al. 2012; Li et al. 2017; Ma et al. 2017). The ethanol extract and acetone extract of PH have antifungal activity and may be used in the treatment of fungal infections, such as Trichospora photospora and Pestalotia funerea in poultry. In conclusion, the active ingredients of PH with antibacterial and antifungal activities may be flavonoids and volatile oils. The active fractions and antibacterial and antifungal species of PH with antibacterial and antifungal activities are shown in Table 4.

Table 4.

Active fractions with antibacterial and antifungal activity, and antibacterial and antifungal species.

Active compositions Species Ref.
flavone ingredients (especially quercetin) Staphylococcus from bacteria Shi et al. 2017
volatile oil constituents Staphylococcus citreus, Bacillus paratyphosus, beta hemolytic Streptococcus, F's dysentery Bacillus, dysentery Bacillus -- from bacteria Wang et al. 2017
the ethyl acetate portion In vivo: Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)and β -lactamase positive Staphylococcus aureus -- from bacteria
In vitro: enteropathogenic Escherichia coli -- from bacteria		 Wang et al. 2013;
Luo, Cheng et al. 2017;
Luo 2017
the concentration extract above 0.6 g/mL Staphylococcus aureus>E. coli> Bacillus subtilis (from bacteria) Lin 2011
compound extract of the main ingredient E. Coli -- from bacteria Chen et al. 2012
alcohol extract Trichospora photospora -- from fungus Zhang et al. 2021
alcohol extract Pestalotia funereal -- from fungus Zhang et al. 2020
ethanol and acetone extracts Candida albicans -- from fungus Liu et al. 2012
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Antiviral effects

Both the ethyl acetate and n-butanol portions of PH have antiviral effects. The main active component with antiviral effects is flavonoids (Zhou et al. 2020; Lu et al. 2021). The antiviral species and mechanisms of PH are shown in Table 5.

Table 5.

Antiviral species and mechanisms of PH.

Active compositions Antiviral species Mechanisms Ref.
the ethyl acetate portion Anti-porcine pseudorabies virus Inhibited virus proliferation, directly inactivated viruses, and produced antiviral effects, with dose-dependent manner. Lu et al. 2021
the n-butanol portion Anti-porcine reproduction and anti-respiratory syndrome virus in vitro Inhibit the synthesis and release of virus, and directly kill the virus to control the proliferation of virus on cells. Zhou et al. 2020
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Antifeedant and insecticide effects

Because PH has strong antifeedant and insecticidal effects, it could be used in the development of novel pesticides and insecticides in the future. The active constituents of PH with antifeedant and insecticidal effects may be terpenoids. The active ingredients of PH with antifeedant or insecticidal and insect categories are shown in Table 6.

Table 6.

The active ingredients and insect categories of PH with antifeeding and insecticidal effects.

Active ingredients Activities Insect categories Ref.
total extracts antifeedant effect and contact toxicity Cone worm, oblique wing germanica, Prodenia litura and cabbage caterpillar Xiao 2018;
Tripathi et al. 1999
water extract killing effects Pale culex mosquitoes Cao 2006
alcohol extract contact toxicity Tetranychus cinnabarinus Cheng et al. 2014
ether extract from 95% ethanol extract contact toxicity Pieris rapae Linne Xiao 2018;
Tripathi et al. 1999
95% ethanol extract contact toxicity and antifeedant effect Ectropis obliqua Prouy Chen et al. 2007
ethyl acetate portion insect-resistant activity Plasmodial, Trypanosoma brucei Wang et al. 2018
volatile oil constituents killing effect Plutella xylostella, aphidocolin Li 2007
Eugenol antifeedant effect and contact toxicity Ectropis obliqua hypulina Wehrli Zeng 2007
confertifolin (the essential oil compound from PHL) killing effect Mosqutioes, Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus Maheswaran and Ignacimuthu 2013
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Antioxidant activity

The flavonoids from PH have good antioxidant activity, and the antioxidant activity of PH is different because of its different structure. Flavonoids with more enol structures have stronger antioxidant capacity, and quercetin has stronger antioxidant activity than vitamin C (Li et al. 2017; Ma et al. 2017). The alcohol extracts from different parts of PH have the ability to scavenge DPPH in the order of caffeic acid > rutin > PH flowers > PH leaves > PH stems > PH roots and the ability to scavenge OH- in the order of PH leaves > PH stems of > PH roots > PH flowers > caffeic acid > rutin (Yang et al. 2014). Muhammad et al. (2014) found that n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, water and saponins of PH all had certain antioxidant activities, which were all concentration-dependent on DPPH and could inhibit the activity of acetylcholinesterase. The hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and water fractions of PH had inhibitory activity on butyrylcholinesterase. Yagi et al. (1994) determined the antioxidant activity of flavonoids in PH by the ferric thiocyanate method and discovered that PH had a high eradication rate of superoxide ions in a dose-dependent manner. It was speculated that flavonoids might play a role in scavenging superoxide anions by inhibiting xanthine and xanthine oxidase, thus having antioxidant activity. Sharif et al. (2013) discovered that methanol, ethanol, chloroform, petroleum ether and n-hexane fractions of PH all had antioxidant activity, and methanol, ethanol, and petroleum ether had the strongest activity. Overall, PH has good antioxidant activity and can become a natural antioxidant, probably because it contains a large number of flavonoids, terpenoids, and tannins.

Anti-inflammatory effects

Both the aqueous and alcoholic extracts of PH herbs have certain anti-inflammatory effects. Their active ingredients and their anti-inflammatory effects, inflammation categories, inflammatory modeling methods and anti-inflammatory mechanisms or pathways are shown in Table 7.

Table 7.

Anti-inflammatory active ingredients, dosage, mode of administration, inflammatory categories, effects, modeling methods and anti-inflammatory mechanisms or pathways of PH.

Ingredients, dosage, and mode of administration Inflammatory categories Effects Modeling methods Mechanisms or pathways Ref.
99% methanol extract (100 mg/kg) was administered orally for 7 consecutive days to mice, after modeling. Quercetin was found as one of the active ingredients. acute colitis inhibit Mice were orally administered with 3% dextran sulphate sodium (w/v) in fresh tap water for seven days. Inhibits the signal pathways of Src/Syk/NF-κB and IRAK/AP-1/CREB. Yang et al. 2012
Water extract (125, 250, and 500 mg/kg) was administered orally for 7 consecutive days to rats, after modeling. intestinal inflammation inhibit Anus administered rats for 10mg 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid dissolved in 0.25mL 50% ethanol (v/v) via a 2mm diameter Teflon cannula inserted 8cm into the anus. 500mg/kg water extract treatment significantly ameliorated the activity of MPO and improved the GSH content. There was a downregulation of the TNBS-induced increase in the activity of iNOS and levels of COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-1β while the protein expression of NF-κB was significantly unregulated. Zhang et al. 2018
N-butanol portion (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) was administered orally for 3 consecutive days to mice before modeling. sepsis inhibit Mice were injected intra-peritoneally with 17 mg/kg (body weight) of E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). N-butanol portions might contribute to its enhancement in antioxidant capacity, its inhibitory effects may be mediated by inhibiting the phosphorylation of JNK, ERK and c-JUN in MAPKs signaling pathways. Tao et al. 2016
n-butanol portion (50, 100, 150 mg/kg) was administered orally for 5 consecutive days to mice before modeling. ear swelling in mice inhibit Inflammation was induced by applying 0.05 mL of xylene to both sides of the left ear of mice. N-butanol portions inhibited ear swelling in mice. Guan et al. 2021
Acetic ether portion (FEA) (40 and 80 μg/mL). RAW 264.7 cell inflammation model in vitro relieve Different doses of acetic ether portion were applied to RAW 264.7 inflammatory response induced by LPS in vitro.
and porcine pseudorabies virus		 The anti-inflammatory effects of FEA were associated with inhibition of iNOS and COX-2, inhibition of phosphorylation of MAPKs signaling pathway, and increase of expression of phosphorylated AMPK. Liu et al. 2021
Acetic ether portion (FEA) (40 and 80 μg/mL). RAW 264.7 cell inflammation model in vitro relieve Different doses of FEA were applied to RAW 264.7 inflammatory response induced by Pseudorabies virus in vitro. Acetic ether portion decreased the secretion of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and MCP, increased the secretion of IFN-γ, and regulated the secretion of IL-10. Ren et al. 2021
Acetic ether part of flavone (FEA) and n-butanol part of flavone (FNB) (20, 40 and 80 μg/mL). RAW 264.7 cell inflammation model in vitro inhibit In vitro model of inflammation induced by LPS stimulation in RAW 264.7 cells. FEA and FNB could decrease the release of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 induced by LPS. The anti-inflammatory effect may be related to the anti-oxidative pathway. Luo, Tao et al. 2017
Acetic ether part of flavone (FEA) (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) were administered orally for 3 consecutive days to mice before modeling. Endotoxemia relieve Mice were injected intra-peritoneally with 17 mg/kg 0.2mL. The levels of MDA, MPO in intestinal tissue and ACP in serum were decreased in all FEA dosage groups, while the levels of T-AOC, T-SOD, GSH-Px in liver tissue and GSH, LZM in serum were increased in middle and high FEA dosage groups. The levels of TNF-α in serum, intestinal tissue and liver tissue were significantly decreased in all FEA dosage groups, and the mRNA expressions of TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-2 in lung were significantly decreased in all FEA dosage groups. Gu, Tao, Wu, et al. 2018
n-butanol part of flavone (FNB) (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) were administered orally for 3 consecutive days to mice before modeling. Endotoxemia relieve Mice were injected intra-peritoneally with 17 mg/kg 0.2mL. FNB can reduce the release of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 induced by LPS stimulation, and reduce the expression level of TNF-α, IFN-α, IFN-γ and IL-2mRNA in lung by enhancing the activity of antioxidant defense enzyme system in mouse liver. Gu, Tao, Yang, et al. 2018
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Impact on the immune system

PH can inhibit Escherichia coli diarrhea and hepatitis B virus to some extent and can resist immunosuppression caused by cyclophosphamide in mice, which proves that it has a certain immunomodulatory effect. The active components of PH with immunomodulatory effects, the impacts on the immune system and the mechanisms of action are shown in Table 8.

Table 8.

Active components with immunomodulatory effects, dosage, mode of administration, modeling methods, the impact on the immune system and the mechanisms of action.

Active components, dosage, and mode of administration Modeling methods Impacts Mechanisms Ref.
water extract (5 and 10 g/kg) were orally administered to mice twice daily for 2 consecutive days prior to modeling. Mice were intraperitoneally injected with E. coli suspension 10 mg/kg once on the first day, the third day and the seventh day respectively. Protective effect against E. coli-induced diarrhea. Under the condition of E. coli infection, the expression of CYPs mRNA and protein in the duodenum and liver of mice is generally reduced, and PH has obvious regulation effect on CYPs. Yue 2020
70% ethanol extract (0.05, 0.1, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, 1.8mg/L). HepG 2.2.15 cells secrete hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B E antigen (HBeAg). Has certain cellular immunity function and anti-hepatitis B virus function in vitro, and has a dose-effect relationship. The 70% ethanol extract of PH could inhibit the secretion of HBsAg and HBeAg by HepG cells in a dose-dependent manner. Li et al. 2014
n-butanol part of flavone (FNB) (25, 50, 100, 150 mg/kg) were administered orally for 7 consecutive days to mice while modeling. The immunosuppression model was established by interaperitonel injection of 30 mg/kg cyclophosphamide (CTX) for 7 days. Enhances immunologic function in mice and counteracts CTX-induced immunosuppression in mice. FNB can alleviate the impacts of immunosuppression by adjusting the level of NO and activities of MPO and NOS. Xie et al. 2021
Polysaccharides (100, 200 and 400 mg/mL) were administered orally for 10 consecutive days to mice while modeling. CTX (50 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally on the 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th day. Has certain immunoregulatory activity. Polysaccharides promotes macrophage proliferation and phagocytosis in vitro, and protected mice from immunosuppression induced by cyclophosphamide in vivo. Zhu 2020
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Protection of the gastrointestinal tract

PH aqueous extract has a good therapeutic effect on E. coli diarrhea (Xiao et al. 2018), and acute gastric mucosal injury of rats caused by ethanol (Ren et al. 2018). The mechanism of treatment of E. coli diarrhea may be related to reducing the release of inflammatory factors in intestinal tissues, improving the intestinal mucosal barrier and intervening with TGF-β/Smad signal transduction. The mechanism of treating acute gastric mucosal injury induced by ethanol may be related to increasing the content of Nrf 2 and the activity of SOD in gastric mucosal tissues (Ayaz, Junaid, Ullah, Sadiq, et al. 2017).

Others

In addition, PH has analgesic (Sharif et al. 2013), hypoglycemic (Oany et al. 2016), hypotensive (Muhammad et al. 2016; Devarajan 2018), antiangiogenic (Muhammad et al. 2016), antitumor (Muhammad et al. 2016; Ayaz et al. 2019), antifertility and embryo implantation inhibition effects (Daniyal and Akram 2015). PH also has a therapeutic effect on the reproductive system and influences the expression of insulin-like growth factor in the uterus of early pregnancy rats (Goswami et al. 2014). The volatile composition of PH, β-sitosterol, can improve memory deficits and disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, and is mainly manifested in the aspects of anticholinesterase, improvement of working memory, spontaneous alternating behavior, motor coordination, etc. of transgenic animals (Ayaz et al. 2015, Ayaz, Junaid, Ullah, Subhan, et al. 2017). PH water extracts alleviate hepatic and duodenal injury induced by enteropathogenic E. coli. The mechanism of E. coli infection is that PH inhibits the secretion and expression of inflammatory cytokines and regulates the expression level of CYPs (Huang et al. 2022).

Applications and prospects

Traditional applications

Many ancient medical books in China described the traditional effects of PH. As recorded in Mingyi Bielu: ‘Polygonum leaves, the meridian tropism is tongue, could remove the small and large intestinal evil, also benefit in the intelligence.’ As recorded in Tang Materia Medica: ‘PH main treatment snake bite, mashed to apply; juice to take, treatment of snake venom caused by abdominal stuffiness; soak feet in water decocted solution of PH, followed by massage, remove beriberi swelling.’ As recorded in Bencao Shiyi: ‘PH, the main treatment of periumbilical and hypochondriac firmness and pain, takes 60 g daily after boiling; PH treats cholera with muscular spasm and to massage feet with hot water decoction; the leaves are crushed and applied to treating the huci nevus; the leaves are also used for treating the head sores in children.’ As recorded in Lingnan Caiyaolu: ‘PH can be applied to the injury site, can be used to clean the surface of naevus scabies, and also can itch and swell.’ (Zhang 2004).

Modern applications

PH can be used for preventing and treating enteritis in black carp and grass carp in the high temperature season (July to September every year). The feed method comprises chopped herb PH hay or fresh herb PH decocted with an appropriate amount of water, mixing that filtrate with bait, and continuously feeding for 3-6 days (250 g hay or 1.5 kg fresh herb PH per 50 kg) (Wang et al. 2021). Planting PH on the mud bank of eel ponds can prevent red-skin disease for a long time (Liu 2020). Cleaning and mashing fresh stems and leaves of PH, adding water to soak for 24 h, filtering to remove residues, diluting with water and spraying a solution that is five times that of the original on leaf surfaces helps to prevent and control plant hoppers, aphids, rice leafhoppers, tea caterpillars, etc. The fresh stems and leaves of PH can be washed, dried, powdered and sprinkled to prevent and control cutworms and grubs (Ao 2019; Zhou and Du 2019). Intramuscular injection of the PH liquid can be used for treating porcine epidemic diarrhea (Ren 2017). After drying, PH is crushed and mixed into grain at a ratio of 1:1000, which can keep the grain free of insects for a year. The mung bean weevil can be controlled by putting PH into mung beans at a ratio of 9:1000 (Peng 2016). Feeding dried or fresh PH to fish can prevent and cure rotten gill disease (Wang 2016). PH has been boiled in water and mixed with chopped tender grass or bait to treat fish enteritis (Liu and Wang 2017). PH has also been ground into powder, mixed with bait and fed to cure fish enteritis, rotten gill and red-skin disease (Liu 2017). The stem or whole plant of fresh herba PH can be mashed into mud and applied to the affected part to treat livestock pellagra (Zhang 2014). Clinically, PH and Gardenia jasminoides Ellis (Rubiaceae) can treat ovarian cysts (Li and Gu 2018).

There are few studies on the toxicology of PH. At present, only Zhang et al. (2022) and Zhu et al. (2020) found that the flavonoid extract of PH at 5 g/(kg·BW) and below had no acute toxic effects or side effects in mice, has no subchronic toxic effects after long-term continuous medication, and has good safety.

Prospects

Since PH contains many active ingredients, each with different medicinal effects, it also has more prospects for development and application. The polysaccharide isolated from PH can be used as an immunomodulator in health food. PH can be made into new anti-trypanosomal drugs due to its anti-trypanosomal activity. In places where mosquitoes are very likely to breed, such as cesspools and gutters, a certain amount of volatile oil extract of PH can be added as an insecticide and mite killer. In addition, PH can be made into plant pesticides, antibacterial agents, and natural antioxidants.

Conclusions

As a traditional herbal medicine with a long history, PH can be used in a single or compound prescription. Because of its multiple effects and medicinal history, many researchers have a keen interest in PH. This review comprehensively summarizes the phytochemical constituents, pharmacological activities, and applications of PH, which could offer ideas and foundations for the further studies.

To date, a total of 324 compounds have been isolated and identified from PH, mainly flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, volatile oils, terpenoids and organic acids. Among them, flavonoids and volatile oil components have certain antibacterial and antiviral effects, but the active ingredients and pharmacodynamic substance basis have not been reported. The volatile oil component ‘eugenol’ was found to be a pesticide, and the insecticidal mechanism was that eugenol significantly inhibited the activities of acetylcholinesterase and glutathione-S-transferase (Zeng 2007). The second volatile oil component ‘confertifolin’ was considered for use in the control of human vector mosquitoes, but the mechanism is unclear (Maheswaran and Ignacimuthu 2013). Confertifolin is very promising for formulating a potent and affordable natural product to control dreadful disease transmission and nuisance-creating human vector mosquitoes. The other active insecticidal components were crude extracts. In general, the study of PH remains inadequate. Quercetin is an anti-inflammatory active ingredient, and its mechanism is that it inhibits the Src/Syk/NF-κB and IRAK/AP-1/CREB signaling pathways. It has been suggested that quercetin should be developed as a novel anti-inflammatory remedy (Yang et al. 2012). In particular, there is a lack of toxicity research. To date, only a few studies have reported that the flavonoids of PH have no acute toxicity and are nontoxic after long-term use. However, there is a lack of reports of other active components, especially volatile oil and terpenoid components. When used as pesticides, there is also a lack of reports on the optimal concentration and dose of pesticides for various pests and whether there is harm to the human body when used as pesticides. In ancient China, people often burned PH at night to repel mosquitoes and insects, and this practice could match the insecticidal effect in modern pharmacological research. The polygodial contained in PH is a volatile terpenoid, has good antifeedant activity to insects, and has antioxidation, good stability to air and light, and a half-life of more than one month. It is less stable to heat but has a half-life of more than 15 days, which is different from other herbs (Zhang 2004). While the current study only reported that the active ingredients of PH with insecticidal effects are volatile oils and some crude extracts, the active compounds have not been determined. High-temperature burning has a pungent odor, and whether the insecticidal mechanism is related to the pungent odor is unknown, so the subsequent research should involve more in-depth screening of the active substances with insecticidal effects, which can be developed into pesticides and insecticides of plant origin.

As a common traditional herbal medicine, PH is often grown in ditches and depressions, probably because of its ability to resist the growth of weeds. Currently, with the continuous modernization, an increasing number of skyscrapers are rising from the ground, and the germplasm resources of PH are gradually decreasing. We must pay attention to the conservation of this natural medicinal resource. Since PH grows in gullies and depressions, such places are hotbeds of bacteria and many kinds of microorganisms; however, PH resists the growth of miscellaneous bacteria, probably because it has some important endophytic bacteria of its own. However, no research has been done on this topic yet, which could be another new research direction.

Funding Statement

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

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